Reacting to the report from the Commons Modernisation Committee on Regional Accountability, NLGN welcomed their backing for Regional Select Committees but warned that some of the details could stifle rather than promote regional autonomy.

Reacting to the Empowerment White Paper, NLGN Director Chris Leslie said that it represented an “important first step in promoting active citizenship and bringing people closer to local decision making” and suggested that many of the initiatives in the paper should also be extended to Whitehall.

This collection of essays brings together the reflections of leading thinkers within local government, setting out a range of ideas on future service delivery, leadership, citizen interaction and rebalancing the relationship between central and local government.

Building on case studies from across the country, Trading Places analyses the fundamental building blocks for new growth and regeneration to occur, focusing in particular on knowledge-based service companies. The report makes recommendations for both national and local government.